Designing Quality Databases with IDEF1X Information Models

By Thomas A. Bruce

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0932633188
• ISBN13: 9780932633187
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated
• Length: 547 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 7.3" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

Original, useful and fun

IDEF1X is by far the most used DB modeling language today. Books and papers, however, rarely approach it. Bruce's book is a fine piece of work. Excellent on the details of modeling - for instance, his discussion on the adoption of surrogate (artificial) keys is enlightening. Even the less technical stuff is excellent (the text on the ANSI-SPARC architecture is the best I ever read). Great book for someone who wants to develop modeling expertise.

Money & time well spent.

This book is the best-written database design book I have come across. It should be part of every database designer and application developer's library. This book focuses on information models using the IDEF1X information modeling technique. This text presents a very practical approach for modeling data and relational database design. Although this isn't a database administration book, DBA's would benefit from understanding how the databases they support are designed. This is a book for the masses.

A Classic Database Text

Whether or not you support or practice IDEF 1X as your data modelling religion (after all, it WAS developed for the military), Tom Bruce's 1991 edition can increase the effectiveness of your data modelling by giving you the opportunity to examine your beliefs and standards. This text covers topics from introductory information modelling concepts , normalization, and reverse engineering, to more advanced data modelling issues. Mr. Bruce's text also includes chapters on conducting modelling sessions, John Zachman's Framework, setting up Data Administration functions within your organization, CASE tools and the IBM Repository (this section is obsolete, of course), a case study, and review exercises with answers. Best suited for those who have participated in IRM activities and wish to build on that experience. Seasoned IRM practictioners will probably skip the introductory material and head right to the sections on abstractions, resolution of typical data modelling issues, and other advanced topics. Even though "Design" is used in the title, this text is weak on database design topics. This text is a good one to have on hand when you're looking for justification of following a specific data modelling approach or technique.